MANSFIELD, Pa. (April 10, 2011) – Juniors Shayne Houck (Boyertown, PA/Boyertown) and Cody Montz (Schuylkill Haven, PA/Schuylkill Haven) combined for 12 RBIs to lead the Kutztown University baseball team to a split with Mansfield University Sunday afternoon in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division matchup at Shaute Field. (GAME 1 BOXSCORE) / (GAME 2 BOXSCORE)
KU won the nightcap 9-6 after dropping the opener 17-9.
Houck hit three home runs in the doubleheader, increasing his team-leading season total to nine. In the opener, Houck had a multi-home run game in which he went 3-for-5 with four RBIs. He followed that up with a 2-for-4 performance in the nightcap with a double and a home run.
Houck increased his batting average to .396 on Sunday, ranking second on the team. Houck now has 34 home runs in his career, placing him second on the all-time list. He is three away from tying John Rozich's record of 37. Houck is also second in career runs scored (163), and third in RBI's (145) and total bases (339). In 2011, Houck leads KU in multi-hit games (14) and multi-RBI games (nine).
Montz hit his first collegiate home run in the opener. In a tie ballgame, Montz hit a three run blast, scoring sophomores Andrew Otterberg (Wall Township, N.J./Wall Township) and Todd Rubendall (Collegeville, PA/Methacton). He went 2-for-4 with four RBIs in KU's opening setback. Montz was a major contributor in the second game while continuing to increase his batting average to a team-leading .400. He was 3-for-4 at the plate with a double and a stolen base. Montz has played in 26 of KU's 28 games this season is currently fifth on the team in hits (29) and third in RBIs (19).
KU (16-12 overall, 6-8 PSAC East) led for most of the opening game Sunday, taking an 8-4 lead into the bottom of the fifth inning. Unfortunately for the Golden Bears, the Mountaineers were able to score a combined 13 runs in the final two innings, stretching to a lead the Golden Bears could not come back from.
Kutztown certainly unleashed its frustrations in the nightcap as it scored runs in the first five innings. Kyle Stoudt (Mertztown, PA/Brandywine Heights) got KU on the board in the opening frame with a fielder's choice, scoring Mike Dugan (Ocean City, N.J./Ocean City). The freshman had three hits on the day with a pair of RBIs. Dugan had two or more hits in each of the games, ending the day with four hits. The everyday right fielder leads the team in multi-hit games (14) and is currently batting .350 in his senior season.
Houck's homer in the second inning gave KU back the lead for left-hander Jordan Garcia (Mount Carmel, PA/Fleetwood). Montz and Brad Stoudt (Topton, PA/Brandywine Heights) connected on RBI hits in the third, giving Garcia a bit of a cushion with a 5-2 lead. Along with Houck, Montz, and Dugan, Matt Albaugh (Hatfield, PA/North Penn) also had a multi-hit game in the nightcap, going 3-for-5 at the plate.
Otterberg had three hits on the day and Brad Stoudt (Topton, PA/Brandywine Heights) and James Quigley (Bensalem, PA/Bensalem) each had two.
Garcia started his first game of the season and earned the win while tossing a complete game. Garcia allowed just two earned runs Sunday and now holds a 1.65 ERA on the season. He walked just one batter and struck out a career-high eight MU hitters.
Mansfield (15-6, 4-2) was led by a trio of hitters in the first game who all had three hits. Dylan Woodworth, Kevin Miller and Jon Moser also had RBIs in the opener. Mike Hartz had a team-high three hits in the nightcap, going 3-for-4 at the plate. Marc Baker picked up the win for the Mountaineers in the opener, throwing two and third innings while allowing no earned runs.
KU will host Mansfield on Monday at North Campus Field for the conclusion of this year's series. The doubleheader is set to get underway at 1:00 p.m. Live stats for Monday's game can be accessed by CLICKING HERE.
--KU--
***The Kutztown University Athletic Department would like to remind Golden Bear fans and followers there are many ways they can follow their favorite team. One can follow the Golden Bears via Facebook, SMS messages and weekly newsletters. One can also check out the photo galleries.
The Facebook page is a good opportunity for Kutztown fans to be updated through the social media. It is also a great chance for fans to show their support with comments and interaction.
Become a fan on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Kutztown-University-Athletics/24879209924
SMS messages are a good way to get Kutztown news no matter where one is located. One can sign up to get news from any or every sport at Kutztown. Fans will receive final scores as well as special awards and honors earned by Golden Bear teams and student- athletes. Sign up at http://www.kubears.com/member/sms_signup.aspx.
You can also get a weekly newsletter of Kutztown highlights delivered straight to your inbox by signing up at http://www.kubears.com/subscribe.aspx
Photos are available through photo galleries from the last two years at Kutztown. Simply go to http://www.kubears.com/photo_gallery.aspx and choose which sport one would like to view. Galleries are broken down by sports, seasons and games.
The Kutztown University sports information department hopes that everyone has enjoyed all of the new ways to keep up with their favorite team. The SID department hopes people will continue to take advantage of the great resources available.
